Nanyang Technological University team arrives in Ho Chi Minh City: 'Wait for our performance'

Nanyang Technological University team is ready

At 3:00 p.m. on March 19, two members of the Nanyang Technological University team (from Singapore), including Head of Delegation Muhammad Syafiq Bin Juffri and Head Coach Mohd Ikbar s/o Mohd Ibrahim, arrived at Tan Son Nhat Airport (HCMC) to prepare for the technical meeting and draw for the 2025 International Student Youth Football Tournament - THACO Cup taking place tomorrow (March 20).

Also tomorrow, the remaining members of the Nanyang Technological University team, including players, assistant coaches, and logistics staff, will arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, ready for the journey to the big playground organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper.

"The weather here is quite hot. Singapore is also hot, but it rains a lot so the weather is milder. However, the evenings in Ho Chi Minh City will be more pleasant. I came here many years ago for the year-end holidays. The experience in Vietnam was great," group leader Bin Juffri shared with Thanh Nien Newspaper reporters as soon as he landed at the airport.

Head of delegation Muhammad Syafiq Bin Juffri (left) and head coach of Nanyang Technological University

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Classy, ​​professional and methodical, these are the elements that make up the Nanyang Technological University football team, one of the most powerful teams that Singaporean school football has ever produced.

Not only providing good professional training, the school also focuses on comprehensive physical development through a variety of sports activities. The school has participated in the Singapore University Games (SUniG) and the Singapore Institute - University - Polytechnic Games (IVP) for many years. The SUniG 2024 and IVP 2025 championships affirm the strength of Coach Saswadimata Bin Dasuki and his team.

"After winning the IVP in January, we rested in February and then returned to training in early March. The players are all ready for the 2025 International TNSV Football Tournament," said team leader Bin Juffri.

"For me and the Nanyang Technological University team, it is a privilege to represent Singapore in the tournament. We cherish this opportunity. The players have been training hard on the field. In this tournament, Nanyang Technological University will face many strong opponents from football backgrounds rich in media. However, it is also an opportunity for us to learn and improve more. The Nanyang Technological University team has prepared thoroughly and is ready."

Try every game

Nanyang Technological University brings to the 2025 International Youth Championship - THACO Cup a strong squad with impressive physiques, such as goalkeeper Shankar Samarth (1.90 m), defender Brandon Scott Pereira (1.81 m) or center back Lucas Ng (1.80 m).

The team has a muscular and direct style of play, with modern wing attacks and transitions like European teams. At the same time, with skillful and agile midfielders, Mr. Bin Dasuki's team can also pass and hit when needed.

Nanyang Technological University has a rich sporting tradition, notably football.

PHOTO: NTU SPIRIT

According to Mr. Bin Juffri, the Nanyang Technological University players have prepared very carefully their physical foundation to play well in hot weather, dealing with the frequency of continuous training and competition.

"My goal as well as the whole team's is to give our best on the field, to show what we have prepared in training. Please look forward to our performance," the representative of the Singapore team affirmed.

At the 2025 International Youth Student Football Tournament - THACO Cup, Nanyang Technological University will compete for the title with the University of Malaysia, the University of Laos, Life University (from Cambodia), and two Vietnamese representatives including Ton Duc Thang University (host) and Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism (champion of the 3rd Vietnam Youth Student Football Tournament - 2025 THACO Cup).

The 6 teams are divided into 2 groups (Group A and Group B), each group has 3 teams. The teams in the groups compete in a round-robin format, then the top 2 teams in each group compete in the semi-finals.

"The Vietnamese teams are all very strong and have a rich tradition. I hope that the Nanyang Technological University team will join the Vietnamese teams in bringing good matches in the group stage, or hopefully in the semi-finals and finals if we make it. I am looking forward to the players' performance," concluded Head of Delegation Bin Juffri.